One step at a time

Wednesday

Apr 30, 2014 at 11:29 AM

Have you ever experienced carrying so much that your arms were completely full and every part of your body that could bend was holding something just the right way?

Have you ever experienced carrying so much that your arms were completely full and every part of your body that could bend was holding something just the right way? You had it all hanging, hooked or squeezed in a perfect placement and then that gust of wind sneaks up and takes that one loose piece of paper and off it flies. You contemplate whether you should try to chase it or if it would even be worth it. Then you notice you do have a foot and a part of a finger open. You try to chase the paper and luckily catch it with your foot, you hold your breath a little, then shimmy the paper up your leg with that one open finger, to a newly secured spot, without dumping that drip of coffee left in your coffee mug. Whew! What a silly situation! Yet when the accomplishment of making one trip or the success of working through such an ordeal is complete, the satisfaction and sense of pride is pretty high.

Balancing or juggling many things at once can be a regular part of life. Sometimes everything goes along smoothly and manageably and other times we hold our breath a little, hoping to accomplish all that is on our plate. The stress or concern about getting it all done, or reaching that end goal, can become so immobilizing, at times, that people just want to sleep or avoid the task, they may become so incredibly frustrated or overwhelmed that nothing can get done. Rather than holding your breath, it’s helpful to take a deep breath.

Attempt to be present. Then break the big tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks. This can offer reassurance that you really do have sufficient time or resources necessary to get it all done. When you are able to focus on the specifics of a smaller task, your mind becomes more clear and creative, allowing you to begin to solve the problems set before you. And generally, it does all get done.

As quoted in the book Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, “A thousand-mile journey starts with one step.” So, maybe when you are cleaning out the car, a one-trip solution, may or may not be successful, but when attempting to balance, juggle or complete bigger tasks in life, break them down, taking one step at a time, and that sense of pride and accomplishment will be multiplied!

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” – Michael Jordan